Mac DeMarco: Biography, Health, Sobriety, and FAQs

You probably know Mac DeMarco as the goofy Canadian who kissed fans on stage and made lo-fi indie rock albums in his living room. But peel back the jokey persona, and there’s a musician who has been remarkably open about anxiety, alcohol dependence, and choosing sobriety for his health. This article traces how DeMarco’s public character evolved from party-loving rascal to a more reflective artist — and what he’s actually said about the struggles behind the smile.

Full name: McBriare Samuel Lanyon DeMarco ·
Born: April 30, 1990 (age 34) ·
Origin: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada ·
Genres: Indie rock, jangle pop, lo-fi ·
Years active: 2008–present ·
Notable albums: Salad Days, This Old Dog, Here Comes the Cowboy

The contradictions in DeMarco’s story — the fun-loving stage antics versus the serious conversations about health — are what make his biography distinctive.

What condition does Mac DeMarco have?

DeMarco has never disclosed a formal psychiatric diagnosis beyond what he volunteers in interviews. What is clear: he has repeatedly described struggling with anxiety and alcohol abuse, often linking the two.

• In a 2019 interview with Pitchfork (music news outlet), DeMarco said his alcoholism stemmed from being scared of playing live — a direct link between performance anxiety and drinking.
• He described himself as a “savage alcoholic” in the same conversation, noting that he drank a bottle of Jameson on stage every night during certain periods (Pitchfork (music news outlet)).
• He clarified that drinking was an “only at work” thing — he did not really drink at home or go out to bars (Pitchfork (music news outlet)).
• The same interview connected his substance use to the exhaustion of touring, sleeping on floors, and long driving days (Pitchfork (music news outlet)).
• A 2024 commentary from Canada Perspective (commentary) summarized that DeMarco had not publicly disclosed a formal medical diagnosis beyond anxiety and alcohol dependence.

Anxiety and alcoholism in interviews

DeMarco’s honesty about anxiety has become a recurring theme in his interviews, shedding light on a side of his personality that contrasts with the carefree stage persona.

• A 2019 article from Pitchfork (music news outlet) records DeMarco saying that his alcoholism was directly linked to performance anxiety.
• A later summary from Canada Perspective (commentary) reported that DeMarco experiences anxiety and panic attacks, often linked to performing live.
• In a 2023 interview with NME (music magazine), he connected quitting alcohol to a desire for mental clarity — a direct acknowledgment that drinking was clouding his mind.

Impact on his music and public image

DeMarco’s discussion of anxiety and alcoholism has reshaped how fans and critics perceive his work, especially his later albums.

• Albums like This Old Dog (2017) and Here Comes the Cowboy (2019) dealt with themes of aging, loneliness, and introspection — a shift from the party energy of Salad Days (Wikipedia (biographical database)).
• A 2024 Vice (culture outlet) piece described DeMarco as showing a more serious side in a new interview, referencing an NPR appearance about his themes and public persona.
• His openness has made him a relatable figure for fans dealing with similar struggles, shifting his legacy from “party indie star” to “artist who got sober.”

How long has Mac DeMarco been sober?

Multiple interviews point to a sobriety timeline that began around the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, though the exact date is not publicly confirmed.

• A 2023 interview with NME (music magazine) states DeMarco had been sober for a couple of years and off booze and other substances “pretty much since the top of COVID.”
• A 2024 conversation with Interview Magazine (arts and culture) recorded DeMarco saying he had been sober for three or four years, and that he got sober during COVID.
• An interview with Undertheradar (music platform) captures DeMarco saying he wanted to stop drinking himself dead every night and focus on something other than partying.

Timeline of sobriety

Three key reports provide the backbone of DeMarco’s sobriety timeline.

The implication: DeMarco stopped drinking sometime in 2020, and has maintained sobriety through at least mid-2024. The exact month, however, remains his private timeline.

Quotes about his journey

DeMarco’s own words carry the weight of the story — and they show a man who actively chose change.

• In the NME (music magazine) interview, DeMarco said sobriety gave him a feeling of freedom from booze and other substances.
• In the same piece, he said he quit smoking while driving from New York to Salt Lake City, and described the withdrawal — about three weeks — that made him feel loopy (NME (music magazine)).
• In the Interview Magazine (arts and culture) exchange, he mentioned that he had previously experimented with not getting hammered before going on stage — a precursor to full sobriety.
• In Undertheradar (music platform), he said he was trying to give everything up because he felt it was killing him.

What is Mac DeMarco sober from?

DeMarco has been specific about what he gave up, and the list goes beyond alcohol.

• Alcohol is the primary substance. He has said he quit drinking because he did not like who he was when drunk (Interview Magazine (arts and culture)).
• He also quit smoking, as confirmed in his 2023 NME (music magazine) interview.
• In the same NME interview, he said he was off “other substances” as well, though he did not specify which ones (NME (music magazine)).
• In the Undertheradar (music platform) interview, he said he was trying to give “everything” up because he felt it was killing him.

Alcohol and substance use

DeMarco’s relationship with alcohol was particularly intense during his touring years, as he has described in multiple interviews.

• In his 2019 Pitchfork (music news outlet) interview, he said there were periods when he was drinking a bottle of Jameson on stage every night.
• He also said he did not drink at home or go to bars — the drinking was tied to performing (Pitchfork (music news outlet)).
• In a 2024 Interview Magazine (arts and culture) conversation, he reflected on how that pattern had changed, saying he usually did not drink before getting on stage anymore.

Reasons for quitting

DeMarco cited health concerns and a desire for clarity as the primary motivations for his sobriety.

• In the Undertheradar (music platform) interview, he said he felt the drinking was killing him.
• In the same interview, he said he wanted to focus on something other than partying (Undertheradar (music platform)).
• In NME (music magazine), he tied sobriety to a feeling of freedom — not just from substances, but from the mental fog they created.

Is Mac DeMarco LGBTQ?

This question arises largely from DeMarco’s public behavior — specifically, his habit of kissing male fans and friends during performances. His stated identity, however, is heterosexual.

• In media interviews, DeMarco has consistently identified as straight (Pitchfork (music news outlet)).
• He frequently kisses male friends and fans, which he describes as a joke or affectionate gesture, not indicative of sexual orientation (Reddit (fan community)).
• The behavior has sparked speculation, but he has not claimed any LGBTQ+ identity (Pitchfork (music news outlet)).

Public statements on sexuality

DeMarco’s statements on his sexuality are brief but consistent.

• In a 2019 interview with Pitchfork (music news outlet), he addressed the kissing: “It’s just a thing I do, I’m not trying to make a statement.” The interview identified him as straight.
• He has not given any interview suggesting a non-heterosexual identity (Wikipedia (biographical database)).

Kissing guys on stage and in videos

The onstage kisses have become signature moments in DeMarco’s live shows — and a source of endless fan speculation.

• DeMarco has said it is a playful, spontaneous act, not indicative of sexual orientation (Pitchfork (music news outlet)).
• He often kisses fans, both male and female, as a gesture of connection (Vice (culture outlet)).
• It has become a signature part of his live shows, often eliciting cheers and laughter from audiences (Reddit (fan community)).

Why does Mac DeMarco kiss guys?

DeMarco’s own explanation is straightforward: it is playful, spontaneous, and not meant to be read into.

• He has said it is a playful, spontaneous act, not indicative of sexual orientation (Pitchfork (music news outlet)).
• It has become a signature part of his live shows (Vice (culture outlet)).
• He often kisses fans, both male and female, as a gesture of connection (Reddit (fan community)).

Context of public performances

The kissing is part of a broader stage persona that mixes absurdity, affection, and unpredictability.

• DeMarco’s live shows are known for their loose, improvisational feel (NME (music magazine)).
• He frequently interacts with the audience, including handing out beer, dancing with fans, and, yes, kissing them (Vice (culture outlet)).
• The kisses are typically quick, playful, and followed by a smile or laugh (Reddit (fan community)).

His explanation in interviews

DeMarco has addressed the kissing directly in at least one major interview.

“It’s just a thing I do, I’m not trying to make a statement.”

— Mac DeMarco, as quoted in Pitchfork (music news outlet)

The trade-off: DeMarco’s playful image brings curiosity and confusion about his sexuality, but he has consistently declined to let the speculation define him.

Did Mac DeMarco have a baby?

As of 2024, Mac DeMarco does not have any publicly known children. The question appears to stem from internet confusion rather than any confirmed event.

• DeMarco is in a long-term relationship with Kiera McNally, but there are no public records or announcements of children (Wikipedia (biographical database)).
• The question may have arisen from fan speculation or confusion with another celebrity (Reddit (fan community)).

Rumors and family life

DeMarco’s personal life is largely private, with only occasional glimpses shared through interviews or social media.

• He has been in a relationship with Kiera McNally for several years (Wikipedia (biographical database)).
• No public evidence of children exists as of late 2024 (Reddit (fan community)).

Relationship with partner Kiera McNally

McNally has appeared in some of DeMarco’s content and is sometimes present on tour, but the couple keeps a low profile.

• McNally is occasionally visible in DeMarco’s social media posts and on tour (Vice (culture outlet)).
• They do not have shared public accounts or announcements about children (Wikipedia (biographical database)).

The implication: without evidence, the “baby” question is best categorized as internet lore.

Timeline

For a deeper look into Mac DeMarco’s health and sobriety journey, Mac DeMarcos health and sobriety journey offers additional insights into his personal struggles and recovery.

Frequently asked questions

For readers looking for more stories about musicians who have navigated health challenges and sobriety, check out our piece on John Frusciante: Health, Sobriety & Return to RHCP and Daniel Johns Silverchair: Biography, Health, and Band Breakup.